STEVEN LIVELY FROM NEWBURY AND SWINDON SENTENCED FOR SEXUAL ABUSE OF TEENAGE GIRLS

In a disturbing case that has shocked the local communities of Newbury and Swindon, a married schoolteacher named Steven Lively was sentenced to four years in prison in February 2006 for engaging in a series of sexual misconducts with underage female pupils. The court heard that Lively, aged 45 and residing on Dean Street in Swindon, had committed heinous acts involving full sexual intercourse with two teenage girls and maintained inappropriate relationships with three others during his tenure at Trinity School, formerly known as Shaw House.

According to court proceedings, Lively would take his underage victims to secluded locations after school hours, where he would subject them to touching and oral sex while they were still dressed in their school uniforms. The court was informed that he even purchased provocative items such as stockings and suspenders for one of the girls, asking her to wear them beneath her uniform during lessons, further demonstrating his manipulative and predatory behavior.

Judge Stanley Spence, presiding over the case at Reading Crown Court, condemned Lively for abusing his position of trust as an educator. In his remarks, the judge emphasized the gravity of the misconduct, stating, “It is clear you were a popular teacher, but regrettably, you allowed your talents to be overborne by your appetite for sexual liaisons with female pupils. All of these girls were under your control and influence, but you most shamefully abused your position of trust with respect to their parents and the school at which you taught.”

The judge further highlighted the seriousness of the offenses, asserting that only a custodial sentence was appropriate. Despite acknowledging that Lively had previously maintained an excellent character, supported by glowing references, the court found the nature of his crimes to be unforgivable.

It was revealed that the police investigation into Lively’s conduct was initiated in 2004 after one of the victims wrote a letter to the headmistress of Trinity School, confessing her relationship with the teacher. Lively had been suspended from his role at the school in July 2004, where he had worked since 1986 and held the senior position of Head of Year at the time the allegations surfaced. At the time of the incidents, Lively was married and also the father of a 14-year-old daughter.

Throughout the trial, Lively denied any inappropriate relationships, claiming that he was the victim of malicious gossip. The court, however, found sufficient evidence to convict him of 16 counts of indecent assault, all occurring between 1989 and 1996. As part of his sentence, Lively was also ordered to register as a sex offender and was permanently barred from working with children.

His defense attorney, John Burrow, attempted to highlight Lively’s positive influence on many pupils, stating, “He was instrumental in inspiring a number of pupils who went on to university.” Nonetheless, the court’s decision reflected the severity of his crimes and the breach of trust involved.

In May 2006, the case took a further turn when Lively’s sentence was increased by the Court of Appeal. The original four-year sentence was deemed “unduly lenient,” and the judges raised it to six and a half years after considering arguments presented by the Attorney General, Lord Goldsmith QC. The appellate judges, including Lord Justice Hooper, described Lively as a “sexual predator” who actively sought to seduce his victims, all aged between 13 and 15 during the late 1980s and mid-1990s.

The court acknowledged that the totality of the offenses warranted a sentence closer to eight years, but due to legal principles such as “double jeopardy,” the final sentence was set at six and a half years. Throughout the proceedings, Lively maintained his innocence, again claiming that the allegations were malicious gossip aimed at damaging his reputation.